FEMA funds still available for Middlesex residents BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Homeowners, renters and business owners can now receive federal aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for any damage to their property caused by the nor'easter that flooded most of the tri-state area last month. President George W. Bush declared Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union counties as disaster areas, and those counties have been qualified for public assistance. The counties listed above, as well as Gloucester and Morris counties, have also been qualified for assistance to individuals. "I am pleased that FEMA has taken action to ensure that some families in need will get help quickly," said acting Gov. Richard Codey in a statement after President Bush declared the first six counties in New Jersey as disaster areas. Codey, who became acting governor after Gov. Jon Corzine was in a car crash April 12 on the Garden State Parkway that left him in critical condition, declared a state of emergency on April 16 after the nor'easter hit the tristate area on April 15. Codey wrote a letter to President Bush on April 20 asking Bush to declare several counties throughout the state major disaster areas. Assistance for eligible individuals and small businesses includes funds for temporary housing and necessary home repairs, individual and household grants, disaster unemployment, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other programs. On May 1, Codey signed an executive order lifting the state of emergency in New Jersey. "State and county emergency officials, FEMA representatives, first responders and volunteer agencies across the state worked in extremely dangerous conditions to save lives and prevent this storm from causing far greater damage," said Codey after he signed the executive order. New Jersey officials have also worked with FEMA to open six disaster recovery centers across the state. The centers were opened on April 29 in Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Passaic and Somerset counties. Additional recovery centers are expected to open in Mercer, Hudson and Union counties in the near future. All centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Mayor John E. McCormac said the Woodbridge Office of Emergency Management and the Township Department of Public Works have been assisting township homeowners and businesses impacted by the flooding and will continue to do so. "I would like to acknowledge the around-the-clock efforts of each and every township fire department, first aid squad, and emergency responder for answering the call during the height of the storm," said McCormac. "Through their actions, Woodbridge residents were safely evacuated, township roads remained passable, and flooded basements were quickly pumped." FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. Anyone who is seeking information about what kind of assistance is available and how to apply should call the New Jersey Disaster Assistance Hotline at (800) 621-FEMA (621-3362) or visit www.FEMA.gov. The TTY number for speech- and hearing-impaired residents is (800) 462-7585.